Liverpool leaves it late to win derby

FOOTBALL: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has praised his team's defensive powers after a 1-0 win in the derby against Everton in the English Premier League.

Sadio Mane's close-range finish sent the Reds into second in the league, six points behind Chelsea.

The Senegal striker finished off after substitute Daniel Sturridge's left-foot effort had struck a post four minutes into stoppage time.

The victory sparked scenes of celebration among Liverpool players at Goodison after the final whistle and Klopp said the victory was all down to hard work.

"We didn't give one chance away and that's very important against an opponent that only wants to disturb your game,” he said.

"The plan of Everton was wild football. They were chasing us everywhere, it is really difficult to play against this ... it's a wonderful feeling to win.”

Liverpool dominated but in a scrappy affair it could not find a way past Maarten Stekelenburg, who picked up a leg injury in the second half and was replaced by Joel Robles before Mane's late strike.

There was a controversial moment in the second half, when a studs-up challenge on Jordan Henderson from Everton's Ross Barkley only drew a yellow card from referee Mike Dean when most observers believed the young England midfielder deserved a straight red.

Everton has now gone 12 Merseyside derbies without a win and 20 with only one victory.